Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Investigating Notch Signaling And Sequential Segmentation In The Fairy Shrimp, Thamnocephalus Platyurus, Sara Izzat Khalil

Senior Theses and Projects

Segmentation is a key feature of arthropod diversity and evolution. In the standard model for arthropod development, Drosophila melanogaster, segments develop simultaneously by a progressive subdivision of the embryo. By contrast, most arthropods add segments sequentially from a posterior region called the growth zone and in a manner similar to vertebrates.

Recent work, mainly focused on insects, suggests that Notch signaling might play a role in arthropods that segment sequentially. These studies document a potential regulatory similarity between sequentially segmenting arthropods and vertebrates. In vertebrates, somite formation involves a molecular oscillator that functions as a pacemaker, driving periodic expression …